Factory Replacement Engines

[HalM]

I suspect this has been beat to death, but my search skills didn’ find an answer.

 

I am looking at buying a 2003 base 911.  In 2008, it has a IMS failure and the the engine was replaced at the dealer under warranty.  Invoice from said work is available.  

 

My question is:  Which IMS would the factory have installed?  I have seen 1.) the same IMS as was originally shipped with the car/motor, and 2.) all replacement motors build after 2006 had the non-serviceable / 997 style IMS.

 

The last thread I can find anywhere is from 2014.  Any new info added in the last 4 years?

 

Thanks!

[DBJoe996]

I assume you are talking about the IMSB (intermediate shaft bearing) and not the actual IMS (intermediate shaft).  It is really difficult to say because a full replacement engine could have been manufactured anywhere between 2003 and 2008 and put on the shelf until needed.  What is the engine number?  It is stamped on the lower part of the left hand side of the engine.  It will be something like M96/XXXXXXXXX.  The engine number can tell you a lot about when the engine was manufactured/built.  If the engine number has an AT in it, then it is a factory rebuilt or replacement engine.

[HalM]

Thanks for the reply, DB.  I just double checked the dealer invoice and it does not have the serial number.  I will ask the seller to get the serial number off the car so I can post later.

 

That said, my question is: Did the factory replace failed motors with exactly what came out of the car, or did they start using the non-serviceable unit across the board?  I have seen both as statements of fact from folks I hold in high regard.  Just trying to figure out who is right as it will impact how I approach a car that is for sale.

[JFP in PA]

14 minutes ago, HalM said:

Thanks for the reply, DB.  I just double checked the dealer invoice and it does not have the serial number.  I will ask the seller to get the serial number off the car so I can post later.

 

That said, my question is: Did the factory replace failed motors with exactly what came out of the car, or did they start using the non-serviceable unit across the board?  I have seen both as statements of fact from folks I hold in high regard.  Just trying to figure out who is right as it will impact how I approach a car that is for sale.

 

ANY factory reman engine produced after 2004 carries the over sized and non serviceable IMS bearing.  You can confirm this by looking at the center bolt nut, if it is 22 MM, it’s the oversized bearing as that was the only version to use the size bolt.  If you get the engine number off the sump rail, it should contain the letters “AT”, and can be decoded to reveal its year of reman.

[HalM]

Thanks JFP!  Very much appreciated.

 

I will ask for the serial number shortly.

 

 

[JFP in PA]

5 minutes ago, HalM said:

Thanks JFP!  Very much appreciated.

 

I will ask for the serial number shortly.

 

 

 

If the paperwork for the car says the engine was replaced in 2008, I’d bet it is the oversized bearing as it was more than three years after the factory made the switch.

[HalM]

Just got the serial number:  M96/03AT66567622

 

Appreciate the help.

[Loren]

33 minutes ago, HalM said:

Just got the serial number:  M96/03AT66567622

 

Appreciate the help.

 

Based on that serial number that is a rebuilt 2005 model year engine.

There is no way to tell exactly when that engine was rebuilt.

[HalM]

Loren, do you also think since it was made in 2005 that it is probably the non-serviceable bearing?

[Loren]

That would depend on the rebuild year. Any of the later engines were re-machined for the newer bearing.

My advice is either pay someone to open it up and look or just drive the car - if it is going to happen it will - if not it won't.

[HalM]

Ok, got it.  THANKS everyone.

[JFP in PA]

+1. As I mentioned earlier, the paper work for the replacement engine says it was installed in 2008 as that was more than three years after Porsche stopped using the second version of the IMS and switched to the oversized bearing, it is very probable that it carries the large bearing.

[HalM]

Thought I would report back and let everyone know that I did, in fact, buy a 996 with a replacement motor, with 665 in the serial number.  But I ended up with an '04, 40th Anniversary Edition.  The X51 package is really sweet!

 

Thanks again for all the help on sorting out the various replacement motors.